LABOUR leader Ed Miliband has been urged to re-open to probe into alleged vote rigging in Falkirk after a dossier of emails detailing the involvement of Unite union officials was released.

An investigation was closed in September after key witnesses withdrew evidence that suggested they had been signed up to the Labour Party by Unite in a bid to secure backing for the union’s favoured candidate.

It is claimed that newly released emails include a retraction letter allegedly written by Unite officials for the witnesses to sign and approved by Grangemouth union convener Stevie Deans.

The emails, said to have been sent from Mr Deans’ work address, were passed on to plant owner Ineos’s lawyers as the company examined whether he had been involved in political activities during work time.

These emails confirm that Unite planned to infiltrate the Falkirk Labour Party

Grant Shapps

“These emails confirm that Unite planned to infiltrate the Falkirk Labour Party to ensure their candidate was selected.”

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Information was handed in to Falkirk police on Friday and this information will be looked at.”

The accusation that Mr Deans did work for the Falkirk West branch of the Labour Party while on company time led to the dispute over terms and conditions which saw owners Ineos shut down Grangemouth’s petrochemical plant last Tuesday.

Despite an 11th-hour union U-turn saving the plant from closure, Ineos continued with its investigation into Mr Deans, who was reinstated.

The company will inform the convener of their decision within the next few days.

Site manager Gordon Grant said: “The investigation into Mr Deans has concluded and the next stage of the process will kick off next week. Mr Deans has asked for five days to review the evidence, and the company granted that.”